By Thea Cimmino

U.S. farmers push to legalize a crop recognized by the United States as a drug. Decreasing wheat prices are driving farmers into a financial hole. The hemp crop, if legalized, may be able to change that. (too many sentences in lead, try and shorten)

Hemp is the non-intoxicating cousin of the marijuana plant. The White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy formerly frowned on hemp legalization. The office claimed legalization would give adolescents the wrong idea about drug use.

Recently it seems the office may be having second thoughts on the subject. Last month the Office of National Drug Control's director, Barry McCaffrey, said the office may (instead, might) be willing to support farmers in their efforts.

"If people believe that hemp fiber can be sold in the marketplace for a profit, and aren't actually trying to normalize the growing of marijuana around America, to the extent you want to grow hemp fiber, we'd be glad to work with you," McCaffrey said. According to a recent University of Kentucky study, hemp could potentially provide farmers with a $200 to $600 profit per acre.

Hemp and marijuana were banned as drugs in 1937 because they contain delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). But there is a considerable THC percentage difference in these plants. Marijuana contains 3 percent or more THC, while hemp contains 1 percent or less.

The hemp plant holds a striking resemblance to the marijuana plant. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) fears that if hemp is legalized marijuana farmers may try to hide marijuana among hemp crops.

Hemp is inclined to cross-pollinate. Pro-hemp legalization activists said growing marijuana among hemp would not be feasible for marijuana farmers. It would severely reduce the marijuana crop's THC content.

The North American Industrial Hemp Council hired former CIA Director, James Woolsey, to lobby for legalization. Woolsey said the cross-pollination factor makes it highly unlikely for marijuana farmers to harvest among hemp. "You have to be really, really stupid to hide marijuana in an industrial hemp field," Woolsey said. The hemp crop requires very few pesticides and it resists erosion. Hemp is biodegradable and can produce paper, rope, oils, fuels, clothing, plastics, construction materials and other consumer products.

Canada recently legalized hemp production and U.S. farmers are losing out on the profits. The United States permits the importing of harvested hemp but will not allow farmers to grow it. North Dakota, Virginia, Vermont, Montana, Hawaii and Minnesota have all proposed legislation supporting hemp production. The Democratic majority leader in Minnesota's state Senate, Roger Moe, said hemp production would not jeopardize other national crops.

"Industrial hemp should be considered an alternative crop," Moe said. "It's certainly not going to replace the mainstays of agriculture."

Hemp holds historical significance in United States history. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp in their day. It remained a profitable cash crop for many years.

Hemp was banned shortly after the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. The government revived hemp production with the "Hemp for Victory" campaign during World War II after hemp imports were terminated. Hemp was prohibited again after the war.

New pro-hemp lobbyists' efforts may result in a second hemp crop revival in the United States.